Key facts
- Natasha Jacka planted a vineyard in her parents' garden during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
- Her debut wines, made from 1,400 vines, have been critically acclaimed.
- The project is described as a 'triumph of hope over good sense' due to its small scale.
- Jacka is now pursuing a broader winemaking career with her Alinea line.
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Natasha Jacka transformed her parents' garden in Cape Town, South Africa, into a vineyard, turning a personal aspiration into a realized dream. Jacka, who was studying viticulture at an agricultural college, used the unexpected downtime to plant 1,400 vines, dedicating sections to a white blend and a syrah varietal. This endeavor, described by wine critic Christian Eedes as a 'triumph of hope over good sense' due to the vineyard's small scale compared to commercial operations, has culminated in her debut wines receiving critical acclaim.
Jacka, who had left a career in the restaurant industry to pursue her passion for winemaking, found inspiration in her parents' home when the pandemic restricted her world. The process involved significant labor, including clearing the ground, planting each vine with stakes, and even navigating challenges like a miniature horse named Spirit attempting to eat the young plants. Despite these hurdles, Jacka's project has paved the way for a larger winemaking career, with her Alinea line now encompassing five other wines made from grapes sourced elsewhere in the region.
Now 32, Jacka continues to manage all facets of her Noordhoek vineyard, from cultivation and harvesting to labeling and sales. Eedes expressed admiration for Jacka's ability to turn a period of global disruption into an extraordinary undertaking, highlighting the value of craft and handmade products in contrast to mass production.